Steady Feet
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Titus 2:2
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. Titus 2:6
Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
INSIGHT
A few years back, I attempted to teach my daughter how to swim. Like most kids, she loved being in the water, but only when dad was around. As long as she knew I had a hold of her, she was in heaven. However, if I attempted to let go, my daughter would flip out. She'd apply a death grip, tears would start flowing, and she'd scream at the top of her lungs. She wasn't buying the rumor that those big inflatable tubes around her arms would prevent her from sinking to the bottom of the pool. It didn't matter how much I tried to reassure her of her safety. From her perspective, drowning was inevitable.
Sadly, many of us navigate our lives similar to my daughter's approach to the pool. We allow our circumstances and feelings to be our ultimate guide and go through our days with little to no self-control. If our life is going well and nothing seems to be rocking the boat, then things are going okay from our perspective. We don't realize that this line of thinking can only get us so far because the only certainty in life is its uncertainty. Eventually, life will throw us a curveball, or we'll encounter a situation we can't control or determine its outcome. Our response to this situation is to freak out.
Freaking out gives up what we can control (ourselves) to control what we can't (circumstances). The only antidote to overreacting is a ruthless pursuit of God's Truth. We have to be able to comprehend what is right when everything inside wants to panic and worry.
Now don't get me wrong. I recognize this is easier said than done. In those moments, you must depend on something you are not accustomed to leaning on. Walking by faith requires stepping into the unknown. There is a truth that exists in every moment of our lives, but we often miss it because we're too busy obsessing about our circumstances. So, how do we change our reaction? How can we begin to let our character define us rather than our circumstances?
In those moments, when we freak out, we can quickly become bitter, entitled, and ungrateful. We lose self-control, and this quickly leads to sin, which causes guilt and shame. Freaking out erodes trust. What is even more devastating is that when we freak out, we forsake God's intention for us at that moment. To freak out is to check out.
Ask God to keep your feet steady according to His promises. The markers of spiritual maturity are stability, gratitude, and generosity. However, these markers don't take root in our lives by chance. A growing character takes formation. It begins by ruthlessly pursuing the truth of who God is and what God is doing in every single moment of our lives.
But, this is where things get tricky. For some reading this, you're unsure of what is true. You live your whole life by what you feel. If this is you, see it as an invitation to study Scripture and imagine a sovereign God who is in control and wants to work everything out for your good. Exploring and reflecting on God's Word can build a steady foundation secure enough to hold you in place regardless of the circumstance you face.
What we believe influences the way we perceive things. Godly perspective causes stable reactions. Maturity goes hand and hand with stability. The key to security is grounding ourselves in that which is true. We can navigate our days based on how we feel or rest in what is true.
Start today by trusting what you know. In the absence of information, trust WHO you know. By finding God faithful time and time again, we can trust Him even when life doesn't seem to make sense.
REFLECTION
How do you think God feels about the way you react to your circumstances?
In what areas of your life do you need to exhibit self-control? What would a stable reaction look like?
PRAYER
God, help me to trust You rather than my circumstances. May I lean on who I know and what I know during these moments when I want to respond out of anger, fear, vulnerability, or envy. Instead of my feelings, allow me to use Your Truth to be my guide. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
